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Local nonprofit proposes 'Buddy Bench' installations and SEL program to Miami Lakes committee
Summary
Mary Portela of the My Buddy Bench Project told the committee about painted 'buddy benches' and an accompanying social-emotional learning (SEL) program the group offers; the full program is priced at $3,500 and the committee agreed to develop a plan and seek town-council approval and sponsorships.
Mary Portela, co‑founder of the My Buddy Bench Project, presented a proposal to the Miami Lakes committee to install brightly painted “buddy benches” in local parks and school playgrounds and to pair each bench with a social‑emotional learning curriculum designed to reduce bullying and promote youth mental health.
Portela said the peer‑support concept, also called friendship benches, is used internationally. Her organization supplies pine‑wood benches that are primed, painted by volunteers and double‑sealed for weather resistance. Each bench is accompanied by a small sign and a QR code that links to program materials and local mental‑health resources. Portela said the organization’s standard offering — the bench plus a monthly SEL‑aligned suite of activities and facilitator materials — is priced at $3,500. She added the town’s cost can be reduced when a school or existing community program participates and contributes labor or in‑kind support.
Committee members asked how the bench model works in practice, where benches are typically sited, and what follow‑up support is provided. Portela said benches have been installed in parks and school playgrounds — examples cited included Palmetto Bay and The Grove — and that the organization holds community painting events, invites mental‑health professionals to dedication ceremonies and issues press releases to promote local engagement. She said the project also offers volunteer and parent resources on its website.
The committee agreed to develop a placement plan, to pursue potential sponsors and to route a request for formal town approval through the council. The chair said she would present the proposal to the town council and the committee would return to a future meeting with a plan that identifies parks or schools, cost‑sharing options and potential local partners.
Portela left flyers and a QR code with committee members and offered to follow up by email with materials and contacts. The committee did not adopt a formal binding commitment at the meeting; next steps are developing a plan, confirming potential funding and scheduling a council presentation.
